FAQ
What is WiFi Manager?
WiFi Manager is an enterprise-class WLAN management solution that enables
IT to secure, configure, and monitor critical wireless networks. It
combines the power of hardware sensors, which have in-built intelligence
to capture and analyze RF traffic, with the network management capabilities
such as configuration, fault and performance monitoring, to present
an integrated management solution. Using WiFi Manager IT teams can have
better control over wireless assets, their associations, their behavior,
and health.
What are the components of WiFi Manager?
WiFi Manager has two components – the software and the sensors.
Software: The WiFi Manager software is available for Windows and Linux Operating Systems. It is a full-fledged network management
software that automatically discovers the wireless and wired devices
in the network, monitors them for failures, monitors network as well
as device health, enables configuration and firmware upgrade of access
points, and generates trending reports.
Sensor (optional): These hardware sensors capture and analyze the wireless
traffic and forward them to the WiFi Manager software. You can buy these
sensors, in addition to buying WiFi Manager software, for 24x7 RF monitoring.
What standards does WiFi Manager support?
WiFi Manager provides support for all major WLAN standards including
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, WEP, WPA etc.
Does WiFi Manager work with my current network management
console?
Yes. WiFi Manager provides integration with higher applications such
as HP Open View, IBM Tivoli, CA Unicenter , and others by means of SNMP
Traps.
I have deployed access points from multiple
vendors. Will WiFi Manager be able to configure and monitor all of them?
Yes. WiFi Manager supports a wide range of access points including
Cisco, Proxim, Symbol, 3Com, Avaya, HP, Dell, and others.
How does WiFi Manager differ from other management
software available in the market today?
Very few WLAN management software in the market today offer support
for multi-vendor access points. Of the lot, WiFi Manager stands out
as the only solution, which has integrated RF sensors for WLAN
security. These vendors support a range of sensors available in the
market, which are not only high-priced by also lack that tighter integration
with the software.
Is WiFi Manager available for evaluation or direct
purchasing?
Yes, please contact our sales team at 1-888-720-9500 or email sales@adventnet.com
What is RF Sensors?
AdventNet RF Sensors are dedicated Hardware which will work in conjunctin with WiFiManager and helps identify the vulnerabilities in the WLAN, Rogue Access points, DoS Attacks and other intrusions.
Why do i need RF sensors?
AdventNet RF Sensors sniff the wireless LAN packets and sends the Information to the WiFiManager. Sensors detects the intrusion attempts, DoS attacks and also to identify the vulnerabilities in the wireless LAN network.
How do I install the Adventnet RF Sensors?
AdventNet RF Sensors by default DHCP enabled . As soon as they plugged into the network ,sensors obtain the IP Address from the DHCP server.However you can assign the Static IP Address to sensors via SensorManager tool .
steps to configure the static IP Address .
1. Go to the <Installation Dir>/AdventNet/ME/WiFiManager/bin dir.
2. Execute the SensorManager.bat or SensorManager.sh .
3.Configure the selected sensor details by enabling the Properties, provide the Sensor name, snmp community and enable the option "Use the following IP address". Now provide the static IP Address to submit.
Make sure that the sensors and WiFiManager server are in the same network when configuring Sensors.
How many sensors do I need for my wireless LAN Network?
The number of sensors required for wireless lan varies accordance with the wlan environment. Obstacles such as concrete walls and metal supports will decrease the RF Spectrum Coverage.
Generally the Sensors coverage in the indoor enviroment about20,000 square feet
and 280,000 square feet of Outdoor space.
What is the typical range of the Sensor?
Please refer to the answer to the previous question.
Do Adventnet RF Sensors support Power-over-Ethernet (PoE 802.3af) ?
AdventNet RF Sensors are designed to work with all equipment adhering to the 802.3af standard. We have tested our sensors with PowerDsine 3001 injectors without issue. As long as the injectors you wish to use haven't deviated from the specifications,you should be able to use them.
What is the default IP Address of the Sensor and How does WiFiManager discovers it ?
By default DHCP is enabled in the Sensors. WiFiManager can automatically discover the Sensors irrespective of whether they are in the same or different subnet. We may have the following two scenarios -
Case 1 : Network is DHCP enabled
-
By default DHCP is enabled in the Sensors. The Sensor will grab an IP when it is plugged into the network.
-
The default re-discovery interval of WiFiManager is 24 Hours and if the sensor is plugged-in between two consecutive discovery cycles then it will take time to get automatically discovered. In which case the following can be done -
- If the Sensor has been plugged into the same subnet, go the "Inventory" tab, select the "Sensors" link in the left side and in the "Sensor" view click on the "Scan Sensors" button which will add the sensor to wifimanager.
- If the Sensor is not in the same subnet do a forceful discovery of the network to which the sensor is plugged to.
Case 2 : Network is not DHCP enabled, in this case do the following -
-
Plug-in the sensor in the same subnet as WiFiManager.
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Click on Windows Start button and go to -> Programs -> Manage Engine WiFi Manager 4 -> Tools -> Sensors.
-
The above will discover the sensors in the subnet. Sensor can be assigned an IpAddress using the same tool.
-
Now the Sensor can be directly added to WiFiManager.
Does the RF Sensor adher to any safety standard and what is the minimum distance that operators should maintain ?
Sensors use about 1/20th of the power of a typical cell phone. A cell phone will use about 600 milliwatts and our sensors use 30 milliwatts. Additionally, our sensors don't broadcast unless they are shielding. In short, compared to other common devices that a customer might use (including a laptop with an 802.11 radio card), our sensors pose far less risk to a person than most other sources of radio waves.
